How To Test Luggage, Professional vs Amateur Methods
So, you’re thinking about buying a new piece of luggage? Before you dive in, you might’ve heard about all this testing stuff. There are two types: what you do as a shopper, and what the factory does.
When you test a piece of luggage, you’re trying to figure out if it’s the right fit for you. Is it durable? Does it roll smoothly? Can it handle your stuff? It’s all about personal preference. There’s no official rulebook for how to do it.
But factories have a different goal. They want to make sure every piece of luggage they ship is top-notch. They have strict tests to check for any flaws or problems. It’s like a quality control checkpoint before the luggage hits the shelves.
Let’s break down the differences and learn some tips for testing a piece of luggage like a pro.
Personal Test
1. Visual Inspection: Evaluate the overall aesthetic appeal, structural integrity, and attention to detail in the luggage’s design and construction.
2. Maneuverability Assessment: Assess the suitcase’s rotational fluidity and wheel performance. Ensure smooth rotation, flexibility, and ease of movement on various surfaces.
3. Noise Level Evaluation: Listen for any audible noise generated during the suitcase’s movement. The ideal luggage should exhibit minimal noise and possess effective shock absorption capabilities.
3. Directional Stability: Evaluate the stability of the suitcase’s wheels when subjected to forward propulsion. The suitcase should maintain a straight trajectory without veering or deviating from its intended course.
4. Handle Functionality: Test the handle’s retraction mechanism and overall performance when the suitcase is empty and fully loaded. Ensure smooth operation and the absence of any binding or jamming issues.
5. Zipper Performance: Assess the zipper’s smoothness, ease of operation, and resistance to jamming, particularly at the corners.
Factory Test
Fully Loaded Luggage Drag Test:
The luggage load drag test is a rigorous endurance test designed to evaluate luggage durability and longevity. It involves subjecting the luggage to sustained sliding across a flat surface for an extended period, typically 72 hours or 10 kilometers. This testing protocol is commonly implemented before the attachment of wheels or as a random sampling measure during mass production.
Handle Test:
The handle durability test involves suspending a fully laden suitcase from its handles using a specialized apparatus. The handles are then subjected to repeated upward and downward pulling cycles to simulate the stresses encountered during typical usage. The test protocol typically requires a minimum of 24 hours of continuous pulling or 1,000 individual pull cycles to ensure the structural integrity of the handles.
Multi-angle Rolling Drop Test:
To simulate the potential impact of accidental drops during airport handling, the luggage is subjected to a multi-angle rolling drop test. This test involves releasing the suitcase from various heights and positions to assess its resilience and ability to withstand such impacts. The test typically consists of 100 random drops to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the luggage’s anti-drop performance.
Temperature Test:
To evaluate the material integrity and dimensional stability of the luggage under extreme temperature conditions, a high-temperature test is conducted. The suitcase is subjected to prolonged exposure to a temperature of 65 degrees Celsius for a duration of 24 hours. This test assesses the resistance of both internal and external components to deformation, shrinkage, or other adverse effects caused by elevated temperatures.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Packing for a Tropical Getaway
In the end, you want to know if a suitcase is any good. The best way to tell is by testing it yourself or checking out the factory’s quality reports. Don’t just rely on online reviews, even though they can be helpful. You need to see and feel it for yourself to know if it’s right for you.
